Safeguarding Media Freedom
Nouzab Fareed is a consultant specialised in corporate restructuring, business strategy, and governance. He has a Masters of Arts in economics and an MBA. He is a past president of Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants and past vice president of Fiji Chamber of Commerce. He is on X (@ Nouzab) and LinkedIn.
Last week Israel decided to ban Al-Jazeera, which has been providing 24-hour coverage of Gaza conflict, while the whole world celebrated Media Freedom day.
A few years ago, Hong Kong shut down Apple-Daily, one of the most trusted newspaper in city state. This week, two pieces of EU legislation enter into force which will ensure greater protection of journalists and further support media freedom.
On 7 May 2024, the European Media Freedom Act enters into force. It supports editorial independence and media pluralism, enhances transparency and fairness, and promotes better cooperation of media authorities through a new European Board for Media Services.
Fiji’s ranking in a global press freedom index has jumped from 102 to 44 out of 180, into the top tier of countries with free or mostly free media after current Government repealed a draconian law that was an obstacle to free media.
Fiji’s improvement in the recent report was in contrast to the global trend for erosion of media independence including PNG.
In 2015, I was part of a panel discussion at International Media Conference in Malaysia and was told that I should avoid using the sentence, free-media is a myth. Anyway, it would not be accurate to say that media freedom is a myth. While absolute and unrestrained media freedom may not exist in any country, the idea of media freedom itself is very real and an important principle in democratic societies.
WHAT IS MEDIA FREEDOM?
Media freedom, also referred to as press freedom or freedom of expression, refers to the principle that communication and expression through various media platforms should be free from Government censorship, political interference, or pressures from special interest groups.
It allows for the free flow of information, ideas, and opinions in society.
Media freedom is important for several reasons.
A free and independent media is a cornerstone of democracy. It serves
as a watchdog over those in power, holding governments and institutions accountable by scrutinising their actions and exposing corruption or wrongdoing while a free media ensures that citizens have access to accurate, diverse, and unbiased information, enabling them to make informed decisions and participate meaningfully in the democratic process.
Freedom of the press promotes transparency in society, as journalists can investigate and report on issues of public interest without fear of reprisal.
It fosters public discourse and debate on important matters.
Media freedom is also closely linked to the protection of other human rights, such as freedom of expression, freedom of thought, and the right to access information.
It helps amplify marginalised voices and shed light on human rights abuses.
Independent media plays a crucial role in promoting economic development by disseminating information about markets, investment opportunities, and exposing corruption that hinders economic progress.
A free media allows for the expression and preservation of diverse cultural identities, languages, and artistic forms, contributing to the richness of a society’s cultural fabric.
However, media freedom is often threatened by Governments seeking to control information flows, corporate interests that may influence editorial decisions, or nonstate actors who target journalists for their work.
Protecting media freedom requires a robust legal framework, independent judiciary, and a culture that values free expression and press freedom
FREEDOM
No country in the world currently has absolute, unrestrained media freedom.
All nations have some form of legal or practical limitations on press freedom, though the extent of these restrictions varies greatly.
That said, some countries come closer than others to upholding robust media freedom standards. According to organisations like Reporters Without Borders and
Freedom House that track press freedom globally, the countries that tend to rank among the highest for media independence include Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland.
These nations typically have strong legal protections for free speech and press rights enshrined in their constitutions or laws.
They also have well-established democratic traditions, an independent judiciary to safeguard media freedoms, minimal state censorship, and a diversity of media voices across different platforms.
However, even in these top-ranked countries like Singapore, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Hungary and UAE, media freedom is not absolute.
They may still have certain legal restrictions, such as laws against hate speech, defamation, or protecting national security information.
Media outlets also face other potential pressures from corporate interests, self-censorship, or online harassment of journalists.
It’s important to note that media freedom is an ongoing struggle globally, with press freedoms constantly evolving and facing new challenges, even in democracies considered free.
Maintaining true media independence requires constant vigilance, robust legal frameworks, and a culture that values free expression as a fundamental right.
While no country is perfect, the existence of nations with relatively high levels of media freedom demonstrates that it is an achievable goal worth striving for to uphold democratic principles and freedom of information.
WHY THE NEED FOR MEDIA FREEDOM
There are several reasons why media freedom is sanctioned or restricted in many countries around the world.
Authoritarian governments and regimes often seek to control the flow of information and the narratives presented to the public.
A free and independent media poses a threat to their ability to shape public opinion and maintain a firm grip on power.
Some governments justify media restrictions by citing national security interests, such as preventing the dissemination of sensitive information
or curbing media coverage that could allegedly incite unrest or violence.
In certain countries, media freedom is curtailed to shield political leaders, government officials, and powerful elites from public scrutiny, criticism, or exposure of their wrongdoings.
Authoritarian regimes often view a free press as a platform for dissenting voices and opposition movements, which they perceive as a threat to their hold on power.
In some societies, media freedom may be restricted due to cultural or religious norms and values that prioritise other concerns, such as traditional hierarchies, social cohesion, or religious sensitivities.
Powerful business interests or state-owned enterprises may pressure governments to limit media freedom to protect their commercial interests or avoid negative publicity.
In countries with a long history of state control over the media, breaking free from ingrained censorship practices and mindsets can be challenging, even after transitions to democracy.
Some nations lack robust legal frameworks and independent institutions to effectively protect and uphold media freedom, leaving journalists vulnerable to intimidation and persecution.
It’s important to note that media freedom is not only restricted in authoritarian regimes, but can also face challenges in democracies, where commercial pressures, ownership concentration, or political polarisation can undermine media independence and pluralism.
Ultimately, many governments view an unfettered press as a potential threat to their power, control over information, and ability to shape public narratives, leading them to sanction or restrict media freedom through various means.
COMMERCIAL ASPECTS
The commercial aspects of media freedom play a significant role in shaping the media landscape and can have both positive and negative impacts on media independence. Media ownership concentration can play a role in freedom of speech. When a few corporations or individuals own a significant portion of media outlets, there is a risk of editorial
bias and limited diversity of perspectives while owners may exert influence over content to align with their commercial interests or political leanings, compromising journalistic integrity and media freedom.
This is visible all over world when media is privately owned.
Another critical component is advertising pressure.
Media outlets rely heavily on advertising revenue, which can create conflicts of interest while advertisers may pressure media organisations to censor or alter coverage that could be unfavourable to their products or services, undermining editorial independence.
How will a media organisation act when there is negative news of a top advertisers?
Does transparency matter or the financial survival? I have been in that situation and will leave the best for another article.
There are instances where companies or wealthy individuals may sponsor or fund specific media outlets or programmes, potentially influencing the editorial line and limiting critical coverage of their activities.
For any company, profitability and the market share matters.
In the pursuit of higher ratings, circulation, or online traffic, media organisations may prioritise sensationalism or cater to popular narratives, compromising balanced and objective reporting.
This is a common in countries where ratings are readily available including India and Turkey.
The drive for profitability can lead to cost-cutting measures that undermine quality journalism and investigative reporting.
The technological disruption and online platforms too, play a role in media freedom.
The rise of social media and online platforms has democratised information sharing but also facilitated the spread of misinformation and disinformation while online platforms’ algorithms and content moderation practices can influence the visibility and reach of certain narratives, potentially limiting media freedom.